Free Online Tour on November 13! Greater Tokyo’s New Highlights

Watch Online! New Local Tokyo Experience - Greater Tokyo Virtual Tour

The New Local Tokyo Experience - Greater Tokyo Virtual Tour was held on November 13, 2021, online with participants from all around the world. Thank you very much to everyone who took part in this event!

Those who missed it can watch the video recording of the tour online for free!

Read on to learn more about the content of this virtual tour.

Upper left: Katori Jingu Shrine (Suigo Santo), upper right: Kawagoe Time Bell Tower (photo by Pixta), lower left: Grape farm (Fuefuki City), lower right: Nakano Broadway (photo by MATCHA)

If you can’t wait to be able to travel to Japan again, you’re probably eager to know what’s new in Tokyo right now. The Greater Tokyo project is holding a free virtual tour called New Local Tokyo Experience - Greater Tokyo Virtual Tour, introducing some of the fascinating new places to visit in and around Tokyo!

We’ll be featuring famous places like Kawagoe and Nakano Broadway, as well as places that are now gaining attention such as Fuefuki, a city near Tokyo with great views of Mt. Fuji, and the Suigo Santo area east of Tokyo, which is loved for its well-preserved historical townscapes.

We introduce the content and highlights of the virtual tour below.

1. Tour Charming Shops in Historical Kawagoe

Photo by Pixta

If you’re a Tokyo fan, you have probably already visited Kawagoe at least once. The historical part of the city is famous for its traditional buildings that have been renovated into stylish shops and restaurants.

Photo by Pixta

A local guide will greet you at the Time Bell Tower, a Kawagoe landmark, then take you on a stroll along back alleys lined with shops selling local treats. You’ll learn where to rent a beautiful yukata (summer kimono), where to find the best sweet potato sweets--a delicious local specialty, and visit a candy shop. The tour includes video footage of the wind chime festival held each summer at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine!

The guide will also introduce the convenient Tobu Pass, a ticket that includes a roundtrip to Kawagoe from Tokyo, as well as discounts at partner shops. You’ll definitely want to use this pass when visiting Kawagoe!

2. Amazing Views of Mt. Fuji in Fuefuki, the City of Grapes

FUJIYAMA Twin Terrace. Picture courtesy of Fuefuki City

Fuefuki is located at the foot of Mt. Fuji, just west of Tokyo. This city is well-known for its incredibly delicious peaches and grapes, and for the excellent local wineries.

The tour guide will greet you from the recently opened FUJIYAMA Twin Terrace, an observation deck offering breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji.

Picture courtesy of Fuefuki City
You’ll be shown around some of the grape farms in Fuefuki, where the grapes are in season right now! It’s easy to stop by and enjoy an all-you-can-eat grape picking experience here, so please do try it next time you come to Japan. A winery that is famous for its exquisite wine will also be featured!

3. Historical Streescapes, Shrines, and Waterways East of Tokyo!

Waterway in Sawara. Picture courtesy of Suigo Santo

One of the most fascinating places to visit east of Tokyo is the Suigo Santo area, also known as Waterfront Suigo. This area includes four cities in Ibaraki and Chiba: Kashima, Itako, Katori, and Kamisu.

This area is famous for its well-preserved historical streets and waterways, as well as for shrines whose history goes back to the very beginnings of Japan as a nation.

Katori Jingu Shrine Gate. Picture courtesy of Suigo Santo

Tour participants will be shown around the Three Great Shrines in Eastern Japan: Kashima Jingu Shrine, Katori Jingu Shrine, and Ikisu Shrine. These are some of the earliest shrines founded in eastern Japan!

Kamisu Bucchage Festival. Picture courtesy of Suigo Santo

These shrines are famous for hosting lavish annual festivals that engage the entire local community. After watching a short video of these events, you’ll definitely want to visit and experience them yourself!

4. Crazy? Or Old-Fashioned? The True Charm of Nakano Broadway

Photo by Pixta

Nakano Broadway is a famous shopping street in central Tokyo, known for its quirky blend of old, retro shops and anime otaku culture. After enjoying a cup of coffee in a nostalgic Showa-era cafe, you can slip into a game center right next door or a shop selling the latest gadgets and popular anime figurines. There’s something for everyone in Nakano Broadway and it’s easy to get lost exploring its maze-like alleys.

Picture courtesy of Nakano Tourism Association

Your guide here will be Moonroad Rainbowman, an extremely lively character known for his efforts in promoting the local charm of Nakano. He will guide you through less known areas of Nakano Broadway, including a retro karaoke cafe and a subculture art gallery.

After this tour, these hidden gems on Nakano Broadway are sure to seem even more inviting. Do drop by next time you visit Tokyo!

Tour Roundup and Schedule

The New Local Tokyo Experience - Greater Tokyo Virtual Tour is free of charge, so please join in! All you need is a reliable internet connection, as the tour will be held using Zoom.

The timetable is as follows, so feel free to join in to the part that interests you most!

Time	Tour Content
14:00 - 14:05	Greetings from our tour moderator
14:05 - 14:30	Kawagoe online tour
14:35 - 15:00	Fuefuki online tour
15:05 - 15:30	Waterfront Suigo area online tour
15:30 - 15:55	Nakano Broadway online tour
15:55 - 16:00	Closing words

We hope you enjoy this virtual tour of Greater Tokyo and that you'll take the chance to visit the places introduced here during your next trip to Japan!

Main image courtesy of Fuefuki City